IMPACT OF EQUESTRIAN RECREATION ON DELAWARE’S LANDSCAPE

Lisa Ballard & Catherine Cirino (Delaware Equine Council)

“Liberty” DEC Mascot

Delaware Equine Councilwww.delawareequinecouncil.org

"We are here to help ALL equine endeavors in the First State.."

  Our Mission is to promote, protect and enhance the keeping of equines in Delaware. We are all volunteers and are a non-profit organization.Part of our duty is educating horse owners as well as non-owners. Horses can have a large impact on our environment. Horse owners need to be aware of their impact and carry the responsibility to ensure a positive outcome.

Delaware Equine Council’s Mission

Provide Horsemen with contacts, information, education and liaisons with government. Keep abreast of current equine health issues, political issues and keep an eye out for favorable legislation.

Promote and educate across Delaware (DE State Fair, Dover days, Parades, DE Horse Expo, School Educational programs, In-house DEC in-services, Kid Fest, etc.)

We have members representing all breeds, disciplines and interests ranging from Standardbred/Thoroughbred breeders to public riding stable operators, weekend trail riders to mule owners, driving enthusiasts to show circuit participants and therapeutic riding to equine rescue among others. We are not in competition with other equine groups, stables or businesses. 

DEC Scholarship Fund

Two $1000 dollar scholarships given in 2007 Up to 5 $1000 dollar scholarships available for 2008 Rules: Applicant must be a US citizen and a DE resident Must be enrolled in a DE University/College Agriculture program

(in Good Standing) Applicant must write a 250 word essay

“How I plan to Use this course of study to further the equine industry” Deadline: June, 2008, Selection to be made by committee before September 1, 2008

IMPACT OF EQUESTRIAN RECREATION ON DELAWARE’S LANDSCAPE

Last count in 2003, According to the DE Department of Agriculture

Experts believe this number is much greater, growing with each year. 13,000 Horses $7.77 Million Industry

Assets Equine AG industry is second

largest AG industry in Delaware Horse Owners spend greater than

$2.28 Million each year. Over 2,200 equine workers Over 2,000 equine operations, of

which 1,300 are private farms

Race Horses35%

PleasureHorses 30%

Amish /Backyard 14%

BreedingProgram 12%

CompetitionHorses 10%

Manure Management

Quick Facts... An average 1,000-pound horse produces 9

tons of manure a year containing valuable fertilizer elements.

Horse owners have a responsibility to manage the manure that is a byproduct of their industry.

Manure is commonly stockpiled prior to use. Adequate storage area allows for greater flexibility in timing of manure use.

Recordkeeping is an essential factor in land application of manure/compost.

The total fertilizer value of the manure produced by horses is estimated to be $10 million per year.

Manure Management Precautions

Virtually no viral diseases are transmitted between horses and humans through fecal material, but some bacteria and protozoans (such as E. coli and Giardia) can be transmitted in this manner. Therefore, handle manure carefully to prevent disease transmission. In addition, horse manure runoff into waterways may produce fecal coliform contamination levels that can be potentially hazardous to fish and anyone who drinks that water.

Runoff. Runoff water from dry lots, pastures, and manure storage or compost areas carries pollutants (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and bacteria) into surface waters. Avoid over irrigation of pastures. Build berms or trenches to prevent water from entering or leaving dry lots and manure storage and composting areas. Do not allow a creek or irrigation canal to pass through drylots.

Parasite Prevention and Control. Horses pick up parasites by ingesting grass, feed, or water that is contaminated with parasite larvae and eggs. The most common internal parasites of horses are the ascarids, strongyles (large and small), pinworms and bots.

Continued …Manure Management Precautions Insect Control. Excellent fly-breeding conditions occur in mixtures of

manure, spilled feed and decaying bedding. To help eliminate these areas, remove and spread the manure regularly and prevent accumulation of other wastes. Composting at proper temperatures inhibits fly development. Several pesticides can be used on manure piles to kill maggots. Cover manure stockpiles or compost sites to exclude flies and prevent their development.

Noncomposted manure piles can provide an ideal environment for the bumble flower beetle white grub. White grubs feed on decaying manure; however, these grubs do not damage home lawns. Therefore, there is no need to control them.

Mosquitoes require standing water to reproduce; therefore, it is imperative to prevent ponding of water in manure storage areas

Continued …Manure Management Precautions Weeds. A weed is an unwanted,

out-of-place plant. Weeds compete with crops for limited resources of water, nutrients and light. Manure has contributed to weed problems where it has been applied to cropland. Use composted manure to avoid these problems. When manure is composted, the high temperatures achieved during the composting process kill most weed seeds. Some weed infestations may be the result of overgrazing, not due to manure applications.

Parasite Preventions and Controls Deworm all horses on a regular

schedule. Contact a veterinarian for recommendations.

Manure management: Remove all manure from stalls, small corrals, and paddocks on a daily basis. Compost all manure to a temperature of 145 F for at least two weeks to kill

most parasite eggs, or compost at lower temperatures for longer periods of time.

Spread manure on pastures only after composting. Manure that has not been composted should be spread only on crop land or

other ungrazed, vegetated areas.Pasture management: Mow two to four times a year and chain harrow (drag) to break up manure piles

and expose parasite eggs to the elements. Don’t overstock. Practice rotational grazing if possible. Graze young horses separately from older horses; the younger horses have a

higher susceptibility to parasites. Follow horses with cattle or sheep before returning a pasture to horses. This

interrupts the life cycles of horse parasites. Deep harrow or plow pastures that are badly parasite-infested. Deep plow

pastures and reseed every three to five years. This also helps break parasite cycles.

Feed and Water Management: Use feeders, racks, bunks or mangers for feeding hay and grain. This will

prevent feed from getting mixed with feces. Don’t feed off the ground.

Provide horses a clean, fresh drinking water supply.

Avoid water contaminated with feces.

Never leave standing water to stagnate, Clean and change water buckets daily, turn wheelbarrows over not allowing water to collect.

Use fly/mosquito spray in stall and on horses to protect them

Mosquito spread diseases- West Nile Virus and Equine Eastern/Western Encephalitis

Vaccinations: Keep current all shot given two times per year (Spring and Fall)

Equestrian Trails In Delaware There are approximately 150 miles of trails open for horse riding on state-owned

lands managed by the Division of Parks & Recreation, the Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the Forest Service. The table available here covers equestrian trail information on lands managed by these agencies. Before you set out on a trail ride, it is recommended that you call the Park, Forest or Fish & Wildlife Area to learn of any seasonal restrictions that might affect trail use. Numbers for all management areas are listed on the table.Most trails have multiple uses requiring horse riders to share the trail with other trail users. On multiple use trails, you may encounter hikers or even off-road bicyclists. While riding, you can expect to experience a variety of environments and landscapes in lush forests, open beaches or open fields. Respect and help to protect Delaware’s natural resources.

Remember these trail courtesies when riding a horse:  Stay on designated trails  Stay to the right  Never ride when the ground is wet  Ride single file  Carry out trash  Pass on the left and give an audible warning  Let nature’s sounds prevail

Thank You for your time and participation – Lisa Ballard & Catherine Cirino “Directors of the Delaware Equine Council”.

Floor is now open to questions...